Prep boys soccer: Slow start does in St. John Neumann

NAPLES — The emotion of winning its first district crown might have gotten to St. John Neumann in its home regional quarterfinal match with Cape Coral-Oasis on Tuesday night.

On Friday, the Celtics defeated rival Community School to capture the Class 1A-District 10 title and earn its first showing in the regional round since 2004.

However, against the Sharks, Neumann displayed none of its district spunk in the match’s first 30 minutes. By that time, the Celtics trailed 2-0 after Oasis forward Collin Cole’s two scores. After getting a late goal, the Celtics eventually bowed 2-1.

Neumann ended its season with a 6-8-4 record.

“We started slow,” Neumann coach Tom Messner said. “We had a big win on Friday but it left us emotionally drained tonight. We couldn’t rebound.

“You can’t give up two goals that early. We had a good season. I hate to lose it this way.”

From the last 10 minutes of the first half to the final whistle, the Celtics dominated the ball but were unable to get the ball past Sharks freshman goalkeeper Alex Collazo until SJN’s Brian Ullrich poked the ball into the back of the Oasis net with seven minutes remaining in regulation.

The Celtics continued to press the attack, firing off numerous shots on goal in the match’s final minutes, but Collazo held steadfast.

“(Neumann) was pure aggression in the second half,” said Sharks coach Mike Giammarusto, whose team improved to 7-7-3 and finished runner-up to Evangelical Christian in 1A-9. “In the second half, Neumann wanted it more than we did, but Collazo was great.”

Though Messner was complimentary of Oasis after the match, he felt his team should have advanced to Friday’s regional semifinal.

“We beat (Oasis) in every way except in the score,” Messner said. “We won from the send part of the first half on but didn’t finish. But I’m proud of our guys, especially the seniors. We never gave up.”